Trapped{Open}

[Seijun]

The Kaiju estate, always left in this form. The quiet serene maze that actually all lead into the same path, the middle of the courtyard. On one of the wooden benches was a boy with short black hair that surrounded his face and barely made contact with his eyes. The emerald green eyes, staring at the book that he was reading. It was an ordinary book, that his sister was reading for school. She accidentally left it at home today, so he decided to take a look at it. He always did wonder what high school was like seeing that he was always home schooled. By now though, school should had been out and hour ago so he was amazed to see that she didn't come to get her book. She could be busy with her friends or maybe doing her homework though. There were actually a lot of possibility for her, while there was only one for him. After all, he wasn't like her, he wasn't normal.

Normal. Those words reminded him of what his dead crush said to him. 'I hate you because you're not normal'. It's been about six years now since she died but, her voice was always so clear and vivid in his mind that it felt like she just said that an hour ago to him. It was one of the things that he could never forget, almost like a scar that would remind people of their mistakes. Although, his mistake, was not something he could control. He was born different then everyone else, cursed with the spirit of the fox, never allowed to be outside again due to the fact that he is easily scared. He never asked for it but at the same time he was glad that he got it. That way, somebody else won't have to go through the same thing that he is going through.

Slowly, he closed the book, not feeling like reading it anymore and put it to the side. His mind, reflected on Isonade, the one that was doomed to be inside that prison. He can see why, but that didn't mean that it wasn't cruel. To imprison someone because they were born that way, born to lust for blood like a shark. It was hard to live like that though and people can never accept such a monster. Especially if they can't even accept themselves. Yet, he wanted to think that they could, maybe that was why he wants to talk to the girl. Although part of him didn't, because of the fear of being hated once again by an outsider.

So many things has happened recently, that he wondered what is going to happen next? It was almost like reading a book at an intense part, you want it to go faster in order to find out what will be the outcome of the event and why. Yes, why. That was the question that had floated in his head for a while. Why would the head not erase her memories? The person has done it many times before so why not? He never understood why, and it bothered him as it simply didn't make sense at all. Why was it that she was allowed to stay here with her memories. there was no way she could keep the secret. There was no way, that she would be able to accept them.

[+Tsubaki+]

Having the day off for once Tsubaki decided to go out to the gardens and have a good sketch for the Hachimata before the family dinner planned for that very night. As the pink haired girl walked down a corner and on the first bench she saw her cousin Seijun. Her distant less talkative cousin. With a slight smile she went up to the boy and without looking began to sketch a blue bird that was perched on a bush. Seijun had a crush six years ago died and she knew the comment she said to him before he died She said she hated him…because he wasn’t normal. Not normal… While taking out an eraser and pencil to start sketching she almost spat at the thought of that girl. She and that girl were acquaintances but not completely friends. Normal. She thought again. What did that human girl know about normal!

Had that girl…ever see the fear in their loved ones eyes when they transformed into mutant animal? Has she ever had to leave somewhere she really wanted to stay a place where she had to grow up and be happy but never be able to see it again? Or family who wanted to destroy you? That girl knew nothing about this family what right did he have to judge what was “normal.” Once she got the outline of the bird and bush perfectly she got out her paint set. “Reading now are we? I thought you hated being home schooled.” She said without looking up from her paper.

The bird was larger than her “other form” and we a great dark blue with beady black eyes that could probably see right through you. It wasn’t as elegant as she was but she did wish she was bigger. As she poured some water into a dish she dipped the brush into it and picked a nice blue color to start on the bird. Smiling as she got to work wondering if Hachimata would find it interesting.

[Seijun]

“Reading now are we? I thought you hated being home schooled.”

Came a voice that Seijun didn't notice at all so it made him jump up a bit. His eyes showing the real startle that he had just felt. Although he didn't transform as he wasn't scared of her. Perhaps if it was some kind of stranger he would be. He wasn't used to seeing strangers in the house after all. Not many people would dare enter the house or allowed to for that mater. Most of the people here, probably want to go ahead and get out of this place as quick as possible. Especially Isonade, although the boy didn't really care about getting out of this place or not. It didn't matter to him, either way he was going to be cursed and follow other people's orders. It was a wonder why he was even given a brain if all he does is listen to people.

His mind replayed the comment once he calmed down and sat back down onto the bench. At first, he wasn't so sure on what to say, seeing that this wasn't his book and he wasn't really homed schooled right now. Although, he did hate being homed schooled, excluded from society but at the same time he liked it. That way, he can't get hurt. That way he can be safe. It was so perfect, to not get hurt and that no one could come near him. After all, he would only bring death to them and they will only ring pain to him. His interaction as a cursed one is nothing but bad luck. Knowing him without being in the family and making contact with him can only mean death. Many would disagree, especially the sister, but it was true.

"This is Kyuuka-chan's." he responded, his voice soft and fragile just like snow and his soul. Anything can easily hurt him, that was why people would tell him what to do. After that, he turned around to stare at the Soukou for a small moment. Was she drawing again? He had heard that the Tsubaki draws a lot during her free time. He wasn't sure if that was exactly true or not since he doesn't really talk to her that much. He thought about asking her but then decided not to. It was best that he keeps his mouth shut so that he won't get in trouble. Besides, it wasn't really his business if she was drawing or not anyway so it didn't matter.

His thoughts were interrupted when one of the maids came into the center and called out to him. She was middle aged being in her forties as the wrinkles were quite obvious. He never really did knew her name though as all the maids look the same to him. "Kyuubi!" she called out to him not even bothering to give him not surfix or any respect she gave him orders."Go pick the flowers and arrange them later!" Her voice was loud and dry, almost like a boring teacher who can only speak in a monotone. Although, her voice obviously was giving a command as if she was higher than him. Without even waiting for a reply, she left as quickly as she had came.

The 'Kyuubi' nodded at her orders and began to pick the flowers. He didn't really care who she was though. She told him to do something so he just did it almost like a robot. That was why, many wonder if he ever has a thought of his own. To which, he didn't really know, all of his thoughts are pretty much was his sister tells him after all. That was why, he can go ahead and be able to feel hers and other people's emotions, but yet he can never feel his own. Never can he feel his own happiness or sadness as it would always reflect on the person that is talking to him. That was why, some of the maids just tell him what to do, because they knew that he wouldn't care.

[+Tsubaki+]

Sighing and shaking her head at the old woman’s comment. “We have names you know.” She called to the woman as she gave her an evil look just because he was the Kyuubi the last of the cursed family there were people in the house that thought that they could talk to down to him because they knew he was just a quiet boy. She then turned to Seijun. With a almost worried look she went over to help him pick some flowers. “You know it’s only because you’re like this that they talk to you that way. Calling us by our cursed names no manners what so ever. I should tell the Hachimata what happened that woman won’t be able to hear the end of it.” She gave a justifying look to the last room they could see at that point. The Hachimata’s room. A room almost always visible from any back point of the house it was the largest and probably the more eerie out of all the rooms. When she saw a red peony she picked it and started to make her own flower arrangement.

“Kyuuka-chan’s huh? I hope she doesn’t need it for school today.” She mused as she finished off the arrangement with a few bare twigs. The woman after being called by Tsubaki returned and was weighting with an irritated look by the door. When Tsubaki stood up the maid flinched a little. And the pink haired girl smiled as she waltzed right over to the maid and gave her the flowers she had picked. “I won’t tell on you this time but you better watch that tongue of yours.” She gave an intense look but her voice was still soft but not as soft as Seijun. The maid gave her a almost scared look and bowed. Finally satisfied with her work she turned around and looked back at her cousin.

Going back to her painting she cleaned off her brush in the small dish of water still not saying anything and dipped the small brush into emerald green paint. Giving off a warm sigh she began painting again. Though she did wish one of her more talkative family members were around she was thankful there was at least someone here. And knowing him he wouldn’t talk that much anyways so she decided not to push it too much.

[Seijun]

“You know it’s only because you’re like this that they talk to you that way. Calling us by our cursed names no manners what so ever. I should tell the Hachimata what happened that woman won’t be able to hear the end of it.”

Seijun tilted his head, not so sure on what to say. He was pretty much always this way since he had moved here. Besides, he didn't mind it anyway. He was used to following orders that he doesn't even know what it feels like to be free. That was why he wasn't like what most people would think the fox would be like. He didn't play pranks nor did he laugh much. He was more like a broken soul, a caged fox who does not care about it's life. He could die right now and he wouldn't be sad. After all, no one would care for him, he was different and strange. Those words repeated in his mind, just like a scar left on his mind. For some reason, no matter how long it's been, he can never get used to the idea of people actually hating him because he was different. What was even stranger was that she was optimistic about it. To think though, those were her last words to him.

He watched Tsubaki ran up to the woman and handed her the flower. His eyes trailing her body and voice. Everyone feared her because she was one of the people who isn't afraid of Hachimata. He had actually seen her go into that room many times before, on her own will. To many, this was something that was simply can not be accepted. Saying a curse member willing to go up to the snake, was like saying that the sky was falling, no one would believe them until they actually saw it for themselves. He didn't know why she likes to go to his room or even if she truly like it at all but he never really asked her. Many simply, don't say anything and leave it alone as they don't want to know. Although there are rumors on how the bird is actually evil, but he didn't really believe that. After all, people tends to make a story for them to believe in so that they would stop worrying about it only for the outcome is that they get more worried about it. Funny, how that works really.

"I don't mind people telling me what to do." he stated, so that she wouldn't worry about him. He wasn't lying though, it was the truth. He rather have people tell him what to do then think for himself. It was a lot easier that way and he can go on with life with no difficulty. Besides, either way, sooner or later everyone will have to obey someone. After all when people work at their jobs they listen to their boss while people in this house listens to the head. It was as simply as that really, nothing more and nothing less. It was how reality is and so why was she concerned about people treating him like dirt? His mind pondered the thought as he didn't talk to her much. Was she really as kind and caring as the curse members have stated?

"So how is it like outside?" The teen asked. His question being quite strange as most people don't say that. Most would just say life or school, but for him those things were the outside as he can never experience them. Well, not without Kyuuka following him or something like that. He liked it that way though, so he won't get lost and have no one to use for cover when he transforms. Besides, he gets scared when he gets lost, just like a child. Something that he is very self conscious about.

[+Tsubaki+]

“Alright then. “ Tsubaki sighed giving up on trying to get him to talk. She also knew from his sister that he was a lazy kind of person and only stayed this quiet because he was too lazy to even think for himself. True that we cannot always master our own lives all the time there will be people in our lives that tell us what to do but when you get the chance to take things into your own hands…paws… you should take it. She gave off a kind smile and cleaned off her brush and let it dry on the bench. So how is it like outside. She somewhat envied her cousin for being so naive. The Soukou was feared by many of the house hold members because of her lack of fear to the Hachimata. The rumor that she was evil. It may be true. And it may not be even if she knew she wasn’t going to show anyone what she really was. At least not yet.

She nodded showing that she heard his question. Seijun has been home schooled since that incident six years ago. There was too much mess to clean up after that happened and the god certainly did not want it happening again. She was somewhat reluctant to tell the broke soul for he might sprout an idea and try to take his life. But she told him anyways. “It’s free. Open and you can do almost whatever you want. In the outside world there is no god.” She said with certainty and power. “You can go out with your friends and just have a good time. You should go out some time Seijun your giving Hachimata more time to play you your feelings.” She concluded and tore out the sheet with the bird on it and carefully moved it into a file that she had in her bag.

She wondered why people wanted to be so normal around here. They should be greatful that they have something special to them. Something that not everyone gets to have. How many humans can fly? Or swim like a shark? These are things that humans waste their lives trying to accomplish and so many of her family members wished to just throw away these gifts without a second thought. foolish she though. They thinking their life are worth nothing because they are controlled by the spirit that lives within them. Which isn’t true. These animals make us stronger people. By containing the animal within takes a lot of mental energy to fight back but if you do you feel somewhat accomplished and a lot stronger. That’s how she gets the will to stand up to the God and the other family members. It’s because she isn’t afraid of who she was.

[Seijun]

“You can go out with your friends and just have a good time. You should go out some time Seijun your giving Hachimata more time to play you your feelings.”

Well, Seijun does go out sometimes, when he is around his sister. He rather not go alone and he didn't have any friends to go with either. There was simply no point to it at all, besides, he doesn't really mind Hachimata. Okay, he really did, he would do anything to get away from that woman honestly but that was something he rather keep to himself. The problem though, was that what if he leaves and in the end, the snake tortures someone else because there is no one else to? Then it would be all his fault, and he didn't want that. He rather have himself be tortured than other people. After all, they weren't caged yet, including Isonade. The shark isn't caged and will be later, so it should live the way it wants to. The fox on the other hand is already caged, so it can never run away, not without getting someone else in its place. Although most foxes would do that, the boy wasn't like that at all.

He simply nodded at her words though, acknowledging it but not truly following it."I don't mind." he lied, not wanting to get her involved with him too much. He rather not have someone get involved with him right now. Getting near him, only means that they would get hurt later anyway. If it's not by him, it would be by the head, it was as simple as that. No one can ever escape it, although he hasn't really tried yet. He wasn't one of those who believed in the saying 'you don't know until you try' though. He simply things that something it is better not to try if it would reduce the damage that will be done. "Have you met her yet?" he asked. Although he didn't use her name, he was referring to the girl from the outside that has set foot upon this place. The outsider that has her memory kept for some unknown reason.

He had heard some stuff about the girl. One of it being that she should be trying to get away right now and away from the 'monsters'. Ironically though, Kaijuu meant monster, a fitting name really, for this family. Their all monsters one way or another, cursed or not there is something ugly about them. None of the were clean, like the outside world, or better yet animals. They simply want to protect themselves. Just like how he wants to protect himself. When he had heard about her, he wanted to go ahead and ask her if she could save him. If she could save this whole family from their curse...but he didn't. There was no point in it, seeing that there was no way to break the curse. There was no way that they could be saved. There is only one escape for them and that was death, but fear always took it's place when it comes to that word.